NHTSA Suspends Recall Updates During Federal Shutdown

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has paused its regulation of vehicle recalls and is not posting updates on its website during the federal government shutdown.

"During a government shutdown, some key agency functions will be discontinued until funding is restored," a NHTSA spokesman said in an email to Automotive Fleet. "Functions funded by the Highway Trust Fund will continue while those funded by annual appropriations will be suspended, including safety defect investigations, field crash investigations, review of consumer complaints, and notification of new vehicle and equipment recalls."

In his Jan. 8 address to the nation, President Donald Trump showed no signs of ending the shutdown until border wall funding is approved. Democratic leaders called on him to immediately end the shutdown. Trump stormed out of a Jan. 9 meeting with Democratic leaders, and tweeted that the talks are "a total waste of time."

One possibility under consideration is for Trump to negotiate with Democrats for the next few days, then declare a national emergency to end the shutdown, according to a person with direct knowledge of the President’s thinking, reports the Washington Post.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling an estimated 327,000 2015 to 2019 F-150 and 2017 to 2019 Super Duty vehicles with engine block heaters that had been inspected in accordance with a previous recall, specifically 18S45, for possible fire risk.